Five Foods That Are Always in My Freezer
As I continue the mini-series of what is always in this dietitian’s kitchen, today, I bring you the foods always in my freezer.
Years ago, I had a second freezer in our garage where we had our Costco stash. When that freezer broke, I was initially going to replace it but realized as our teen was on his way out the door, and we were about to become empty nesters, it probably wasn’t necessary. So, we did not replace it. Today our only freezer is the unit that is part of the large kitchen appliance below the fridge.
But even with just the one smaller freezer, there are still some foods that will always be in there, and if I am low, the next grocery or Costco run has that food on the list.
Here are five foods you will always find in my freezer.
FRUIT
Frozen fruit is always there because of the smoothies I make nearly every day (at least in the warmer months). Those fruit options include cherries to make my favorite smoothie, the chocolate cherry smoothie, but the fruit can also include mixed berries, strawberries, or blueberries.
And often there is a random whole banana or three in the freezer too. Sometimes the bananas get a bit too ripe and are best for banana bread, but I need a few more, so they just get tossed in until there are enough bananas to make bread or another baked banana goodie.
VEGETABLES
The vegetables are almost always the microwave packets. From broccoli to green beans and mixed vegetables, there are so many frozen veggie options. This is a simple way to ensure vegetables with dinner.
Some people get nervous about microwave packages, but this isn’t a concern to me. In 4-6 minutes, I will have a vegetable with dinner. Sometimes the mixed vegetables are part of a meal other than a vegetable side, like when it is part of chicken and dumplings.
PROTEIN
I am cheating here to include the fact that there are usually several forms of protein in the freezer.
There is always fish. Usually, it is salmon, but sometime mahi-mahi, and more recently ono. These are all Costco finds. I live in a landlocked desert state, so frozen fish is the best and most economical option while allowing fish at least twice a week.
Shrimp is there too. As a few examples, I can use shrimp for various dishes, including fish tacos, scampi, and panko-baked shrimp.
Chicken too – from chicken tenders to chicken thighs (yes, thighs). Having chicken is also a simple way to ensure a chicken dish weekly.
And finally, ground meat which can be ground turkey, ground beef, or both. These are the lean versions. Yes, ground beef. I do eat red meat.
BUTTER
I use real butter. And I often have two kinds: Irish butter and store-brand sweet cream butter. I use it like most people, for baked goods and just adding to a pan for cooking eggs; there are many uses for butter. I will always have at least one stick of butter in the freezer, but it is often a package.
POT PIE
Weird right? I get the multi-pack of chicken pot pie at Costco. I’m not too fond of pot pie, but there are occasional days of the month when I have an evening meeting or event, and this is my husband’s favorite go-to when eating alone—this or cereal. So, there will always be some in there. And when it is out, these are on the list for the next Costco run. And the size of the pot pie from Costco is different from a regular grocery store. It is smaller and just right.
So, you will likely find that in my freezer on any given day. Next up is what is always in the pantry.
Others in this series:
